During the XII century, Castle Selva reached its peak importance as a military defense structure. There was a battle for supremacy between the Papal State and the Holy Roman Empire in Europe at the time and all roads between north and south, including the Valsugana valley, repeatedly became a battleground.
One of the champions of the Imperial cause was the infamous Ezzelino da Romano (1194-1259) who tried to take advantage of the conflict by taking over the territory belonging to the Trento church.
In 1256, he organized a punitive raid against the then Bishop Prince, Egnone di Appiano (reigning from 1250 to 1273), who supported the Papal cause. The source material tells us how the castle’s defences were prepared but proved to be useless. Selva and other fortresses in Trentino were taken and plundered by Imperial forces.
The castle wasn’t left alone even after the death of Ezzelino. In 1275, it was considered a spoil of war by Mainardo, the count of Tyrol (1238-1295), who took it over during fighting with Bishop Henry II (reigning from1274 to 1289).
Throughout the XIV century, Castle Selva passed through many hands during the battles that the Bishop Princes had with the counts of Tyrol and the lords of Carrara as well as in the minor war with Siccone, a lord from Caldonazzo.
